4621_Echo from Valdocco

Spirituality Days 2018

January 25, 2018

By Sr. Uthomporn Saelow, SIHM

Turin, Italy, 24 January 2018 -- Among the large group from all around the world gathered last weekend at Valdocco were (as usual) also two Sisters SIHM (Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary) from Thailand, Sr. Meena and Sr. Uthomporn. After their arrival back to Thailand, Hua Hin, they share the Valdocco experience:

For the first time participating in the SF Spirituality days?

I had the chance to be in the place where Don Bosco used to be and lived. In this place I have met many people from all over the world. Everyone has a sense of belonging to the Salesian family. We spent these days together, listening and sharing our experience to each other.

What was the most impressive experience from Valdocco?

Sharing of the experience: Voice of the youth. They speak from their real experiences. It touches me to “be available for the youth”

What did awake in you the sharing in the hall with the Rector Major and other 22 SF groups?

I need to practice the art of listening. Listening from the heart, build the relationship with the young people. Understand what they want to say and let them feel loved by me.

What would you like 'bring home' as new inspiration or deeper awareness after SF Spirituality Days?

The Salesian Accompanying Decalogue (cf. below) which which is very much valid in our days. For me it is like a guideline to accompany the youth.

The SIHM Sisters were founded by Mons. Gaetano Pasotti, SDB 80 years ago (1937), their headquarters are in Hua Hin, Thailand, their 20+ missionary presences with 100+ members are located in Thailand and Cambodia.

Official Facebook page SIHM Sisters

Related articles:

• AustraLasia 3895 (I) The SIHM Sisters Annual Retreat 2016
• AustraLasia 4619 (I) A real Holy Land for the Salesian Family - Valdocco 2018

Decalogue of the Salesian mentor (Accompanying Salesian)

1. Accompanies the young in this ‘favourable time’ in vocational discernment by experiencing in their turn the beauty of allowing themselves to be accompanied


2. Helps the young, with patience and loving kindness, to discover that they are a gift and capable of making the great life plan awaiting them become a reality through listening to God’s voice


3. Fosters a spiritual climate through a humble and joyful presence and witness


4. Offers everyone the opportunity to be accompanied by taking the first step, with emphatic listening and valuing individuality, not excluding anybody


5. Proposes a spirituality with a unified vision by living an authentic Christ-like presence


6. Witnesses to joy by loving the young and making them feel the Love of God


7. Experiences the logic of the ‘Come and See’ through a silent and coherent witness which manifests the presence of the Risen One and invites the young to take up their journey


8. Lives the communal dimension by creating a home which welcomes by means of their gaze, ‘knowing how to be’, being open to the world and fullness of life


9. Dedicates time to personal encounter by listening with the Heart of Christ, the Good Shepherd


10. Looks at life with trust and hope, entrusting themselves to the Lord, walking next to the young, and reawakening in them the desire to have an encounter with Him